“I think every team in the country is probably ready to play at this point against somebody other than themselves,” IU Coach Sherry Dunbar-Kruzan said.
Last week, the Hoosiers played a scrimmage that was open to the public to get themselves ready for the upcoming season.
“When you play at Indiana and you have hundreds of people come out to a Cream and Crimson Scrimmage, it gives our kids a feel of playing in that type of environment,” Dunbar-Kruzan said.
The scrimmage allowed IU to practice in front of a crowd with a game-time feel to help the players prepare to play in front of similar crowds this weekend.
“I really like the way they hold the Cream and Crimson Scrimmage because we really do practice like it’s a true game day, especially for freshman and others who haven’t played as much,” senior outside hitter Amelia Anderson said. “It’s a really good atmosphere for how we prepare on game day.”
Like any start to the season, the Hoosiers haven’t had experience playing against anyone but each other.
“A lot of communication has to happen, and then we’ve got to rise up to that level,” Dunbar-Kruzan said. “They’re going to be in the same position as us, so whoever reacts in a more positive way and can elevate that game will win matches this weekend.”
IU will play against three different teams this weekend, including Bowling Green, Cleveland State and Middle Tennessee State.
Junior outside hitter Makayla Lundin said one of the Hoosiers’ biggest obstacles will be consistent traveling, as they will be playing away for four of their first five matches.
“Even though we really try to prepare for that, there’s no way to prepare for that other than just going out and competing and trying to make it home as much as possible,” Lundin said.
IU is still optimistic about their readiness to start competing against other teams and how they will fare in the upcoming season, Dunbar-Kruzan said.
“I think the team is definitely prepared on the court,” Anderson said. “I mean, we’re doing a lot of new stuff this year. Being a senior, you know, we’ve been kind of doing the same thing every year that I’ve been here, and this year we’re really changing. I think that’s going to be something positive going into preseason, where we’re going to be a different team.”
